Oscillating motor



Nov. 20, 1928. 1,692,409

J. w. HOBBS O'SCILLATING MOTOR Filed May 21, 1927 Patented N ov. 20, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN W. HOBBS, F MOLINE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TOyGEORGE BORG, OF CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS. I 1

.OISCILLVATYING moron.

Application filed May 21,

My invention relates to motion transmit ting mechanism and, in one aspect thereof, 15 inclusive of an electro-magnet having an oscillating armature turned in one directlon by 5 the magnet, a spring operating upon thearmature to reverse the direction of movement of the armature and connected with the armature and so disposed as to have its power 1ncreased when the armature is moved by the magnet, a switch in the magnet circuit, there being means whereby the magnet opens the switch and the spring, in-funct-ioning, also closes the switch, a wheel which is to be turned by the armature when the armature is moved by the spring, a clutch member carried by the armature and having a side opposed to the rim of the wheel and sloping toward the wheel in the direction of rotation of the armature that is effected by the magnet, a roller carried by the armature and engageable at the same time with said clutch member side and the rimof the Wheel, and a spring urging the roller into engagement with said clutch member side and the rim of the wheel. In thepreferred embodiment of this feature of the invention the spring is a leaf spring which is anchored at one end upon the armature and has a portion in the plane of bodily movement of and engaging said roller which is disposed between said spring portion and the narrower end of the space between the wheel and said clutch member. Said spring also has a ortion extending transversely of the axis of movement of the, wheel and lapping and in close proximity to the roller. The wheel is held from reverse rotation by a clutch similar to the foregoing excepting that the roller engaged clutch member has a stationary mounting or anchorage as does the spring which presses upon the roller.

My invention finds particular utility when employed in conjunction with a spring motor which is wound periodically by a magnet, the wheel being coupled with the load such as the gear train of a clock and being driven, to operate such load, by the spring of the spring motor, the driving force of the spring being transmitted by the magnet armature to the clock train through the intermediation of the device of my invention. When the force of the spring of the spring motor has been spent to a predetermined extent, a switch is automatically operated to energize the magnet and attract the armature, the armature being 1927. Serial No 193,368..

then uncoupled from the aforesaid wheel so that it may freely move and will not cause reverse operation of the clock train. In order that the wheel may be held from turning while thus uncoupled from'the armature, another device similar to my aforesaid device serves to couple the wheel with a stationary member.

I will explain my invention more fully by reference to the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is an elevation of a spring motor having a spring winding magnet and equipped in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the, structure shown in Fig. 1 on line 22, a portion of the armature and parts t-hereat being, however,

shown in elevation, aclock train, driven by the spring motor, being also shown; Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a part of the structure shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is a perspective Eiew of a part ofthe structure appearing in The gear train 1 of the clock has its initial shaft 2 coupled with the motion transmitting mechanism through which the main spring 3 functions, as hereinafter set forth. The

electric motor illustrated is inclusive of a, stationary field magnet whose winding 4 is disposed about'a magnetizable core and between the polar extensions 6 and 7 of the core. The winding space between thepolar extensions 6 and 7 is divided into two equal parts by a block of brass or other non-magnetic ma .terial 8. I v

The movable element of the motor is in the form of armature 10, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated; This armature is formed with a hub extension'll'which turns I within one end of an opening 12 extending for the armature. The armature is forme with polar extensions 13 and 14 which project into the zone of the field magnet, the armature being mounted to oscillate and having its range of oscillation limited so that when the polar extensions 13 and 14 are furthest removed from the deenergized field magnet it will be within the range of attraction of the field magnet, when the field magnet is energized. As will hereinafter appear, the main spring 3 functions to operate the gear train of the clock during the time that the field magnet is deenergized and ceases to have this function during each of the short periods when the magnet is energized-to re plenish power in the spring, such energization of the magnet occurring consequent upon each operation of the clock train-by thespring.

The spring'may be attached, at one end, to

the field magnet pole 6' by means of the pin 15 and is attached, at its other end, to theear 16 projecting from one side of the armature 10. Two floating clutching cylindrical rollers 17 are employed to couple the armature with a wheel 18 when the spring 3 functionsto drive the clock train, said wheel bein gin driving relation with the clock train, as will appear. Two members 19, one individual to each roller are in the zone of the wheel member 18 and beyond the periphery of this member 18, the members 19 being provided upon the armature 10. The portions of the annat'ure which extend radially inward from the members 19 constitute parts of such members in the relation thereof to the rollers 17. The members 19, proper, that are in the zone of the wheel 18, are at obtuse angles with respect to radii of the wheel that intersect the members 19 whereby tapering spaces intervene be tween the wheel member 18 and the opposed flat sides of members 19, which slope toward the wheel in the direction of rotation of the wheel, the floating rollers 17 being bodily movable along these tapering spaces. Leaf springs 20 are carried by the armature 10, being thus anchored in connection with the members 19. These leaf springs serve to press the rollers toward the narrowerends of the tapering spaces between the member 18 and the members 19 that receive these rollers and when these springs thus function, the members 19 are coupled with the member 18 so that the motor spring 3 may turn the member 18 to operate the clock train, the spring 3 servin to turn the armature 10 counterclockwise W en the spring thus functions. Each leaf. spring 20 is" formed with an ear 21 that engages the outer end of the corresponding cylindrical roller 17 and maintains the other end of this roller in proximity to the portion of the armature 10 that intervenes between the adjacent member 19 and the member 18. The rollers are thus trapped in the tapering spaces that intervene between the wheel member 18 and the members 19, the narrower ends of these spaces preventing egress of the rollers thereat, the armature and the cars 21 preventing axial displacement of the rollers, and the base-portions 22 0f the cars 21 preventing egress of the rollers at the larger ends of said tapering spaces, said base portion bein in the plane of bodily movement of the re ler, the end portion of the ear that laps the roller extending transverselyto the axis of wheel 18 and being in close proximity to the roller.

The wheel member 18 is fixed upon a shaft 23 which is journaled at one end in the hub extension 11 of the armature 10. This shaft extends through the opening 12 into connection with the hub 24 of a pinion 25 which constitutes the initial member of a motion transmitting gear train whose final wheel 26 has a hub 27. A spring wire 28 passes through the hub 27 and engages the angular ends of a bar 29 which is secured at its mid portion upon the inner end of the inner shaft 2 of a clock train of gears. The spring wire 28 is disclosed in my application Serial No. 153,577 filed December 9, 1926, and a division thereof, Serial No. 191,400, filed May 14, 1927. As set forth'in said applications, during the time that the main spring 3 drives the clock train, the spring 28 is placed under increased tension, this spring being -thereby enabled to continue the operation of the clock when the armature is attracted to replenish power to the main spring. \Vhen the armature is thus attracted, it moves in a clockwise direction whereby the rollers 17 are moved toward the larger ends of the tapering spaces in which they are contained so that the armature is free to move unchecked by these rollers. While the rollers 17 are thus out of coupling relation with the wheel member 18 and the members 19, a similar roller 17 establishes a coupling relation between the wheel member 18 and the stationary member 19, pressed upon by a stationarily anchored spring 20 and which member 19 has "a relation to the wheel member 18 similar to the relation of the members 19, to said wheel.

The roller 17' is thus a detaining roller and it is assembled with the spring 20' in a manner similar to the assembly of the rollers 17 with the springs 20.

When the spring 3 has spent its force to a predetermined extent, the switch contacts 30 and 31 are engaged to energize the magnet and cause the clockwise spring winding movement of the armature 10. These switch contacts are disposed and arranged as set forth in the aforesaid applications.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. The combination with an electro-magnet having an oscillating armature turned in one direction by the magnet; of a spring operatingnpon the armature to reverse the direction of movement of the armature and connected with the armature and so disposed as to have its power increased when the armature is moved by the magnet; a switch in the magnet circuit, there being means whereby the magnet opens the switch and the spring, in functioning, also closes the switch; a wheel which is to be turned by the armature when the armature is moved by the spring; a clutch member carried by the armature and having a side opposed to the rim of the wheel and sloping toward the wheel in the direction of rotation of the armature that is effected by the magnet; a roller carried by the armature and engageable at the same time with said clutch member side and the rim of the wheel;

and a spring urging the roller into engagement with said clutch member side and the rim of the wheel.

net having an oscillating armature turned in one direction by the magnet; of a spring operating upon the armature to reverse the direction of movement of the armature and connected with the armature and so disposed as to have its power increased when the armature is moved by the magnet; a switch in the magnet circuit, there being means whereby the magnet opens the-switch and the spring, in functioning, also closes the switch; a wheel which is to be turned by the armature when the armature is moved by the spring; a clutch member carried by the armature and'having a side opposed to the rim of the wheel and sloping toward the wheel in the direction of rotation ofthe armature that is effected by the magnet; a roller enga'geable at the same time with said clutch member side and the rim of the wheel; and a spring carried by the armature and urging the roller into en gagement with said clutch member side and the rim of the wheel, said latter spring having a portion in the plane of-bodily movement of and engaging said rollerwhich is disposed between said spring. ortion and the narrower end of the space etween the wheel and said clutch member. I a

3. The combination with an electro-magnet having an oscillating armature turned in the rim of the wheel, said latter s ring havone direction by the magnet; of a spring 0perating upon the armature-t0 reverse the direction of movement ofthe armature and connected with the armature and so disposed as to have its power increasedwhenthe armature is moved by-the magnet;- a switch in the magnet circuit,-there being means whereby the magnet opensthe switch and the spring, in functioning, also closes theswitch; a wheel which is to be turned by the armature when the armature is moved by the spring; a clutch member carried by the armature and havin a side opposed to the rim of the wheel an.

sloping toward the wheel in the direction of rotation of the'armature that is effected by the ma et;- a roller engag'eable at the same time with said clutch member side and the rim oft-he wheel; and a s ring carried by the armature and ur 'ng t e roller into engagement with said 0 utch member side and ing a portion in the plane of b0 'ment of and engaging said roller which is disposedbetweensaid spring portion and the narrowe end of the space between the wheel and said clutch member, said spring also having a ortion extending transversely of the axis of movement of the wheel and lapping and in close proximityto the roller.

4. Thejeombination with an electro-magnet having an oscillating armature turned in one direction by the magnet; of a spring opand a spring carried. b

ily. moveas to have its ower increased when the armarection o movement of the armature and con-' nected withthe armature and. so disposed as 2. The combination with an electro-mag,

rotation of the armature that is effected by the'magn'et; a roller carried by the armature andengageable at'the same time with said clutch member side and the rim of the wheel; the armature and havinga portion exten ing transversely of the axis pf movement of the wheel and lapping and in close proximity to the roller.

5. The combination with an electro-mag-y net havingan oscillating armature turned in one direction by the magnet; of a spring operating upon the armature to reverse the di rection of movement of the armature and connected with the armature aifiso'disposed as to haveits power increased when the armature .is moved b thefmagnet; a switch in j the magnet circuit, there beingimeans-whereby the mafgnet opens the switch and the spring, in a wheel which is to be turned by the armature when the armature is moved by the spring; meanswhereby the armature, whenbeing turned by the spring, turns the wheel in one direction and permits the magnet to reverse the direction of movement of the armature without turning-the wheel; a clutch me'mb er having. a stationary mounting and having'a side opposed to the rim of the wheel and sloping towardthe wheel-in the. direction of rotation'of the armature that is efiected by the magnet; a roller engageable at the same time with said clutch member side and the rim of the wheel; and a s ring urging the roller into en a ement wit said clutch member side an t e rim of the wheel:

6. The combination with, an electro-ma unctioning, also closes the switch;

motion of movement of the armature and"- connected with the armature and so disposed ture is move by the magnet; a switch in the magnet-circuit, there beinglmeans whereby i the magnet opens the switc and the sprin in functioningalso closes the switch; a whee which is to be turned b the armature when the armature is moved the spring; means whereby the armature, w on being turned by the spring, turns the wheel in one direction and permits the magnet to reverse the direction of movement of the armature without 130 turning the wheel; a clutch member having a stationary mounting and having a side op-' posed to the rim of the wheel and sloping toward the wheel in the direction of rotation of the armature that is efiected by the ma 7. The combination with an electro-magv net having. an oscillating armature turned in one direction by the magnet; of a spring operating upon the armature to reverse the direction of movement of the armature and connected with the armature and so disposed as to have its power increased when the armaturejs moved by the magnet; a switch in the magnet circuit, there being means whereby the magnet opens the switch and the spring,

' in functioning also closes the switch; a wheel which isto be turned b the armature when the armature is moved y the spring; 'means whereb the armature, when being turned by the sprlng, turns the wheel in one directionand permits the magnet to reverse the directionof movement of the armature without 'turning the wheel; a clutch member having a stationary mounting and having a side opposed to the rim of the wheel and sloping toward the wheel in the direction of rotation ofthe armature that is effected by' the magnet; a roller engageable at the same time with saidclutch member side and the rimof the wheel; and a spring urging the roller into engagement with said clutch member side and the rim of the wheel; said latter spring having a portion in the plane of bodily movement of and engaging said roller which is disposed between said spring portion and the narrower end of the space between the wheel and said clutch member, said spring also having a portion extending transversely of the axis of movement of'the wheel and lapping and in close proximity to the roller.

8. The combination with an electro-mag net having an oscillating armature turned in one direction by the magnet; of a spring operating upon the armature to reverse the direction of movementof the armature and connected with the armature and so disposed as to have its power increased when the armature is moved by the magnet; a switch in the magnet circuit, there being means whereby the magnet opens the'switch and the spring, in functioning, also closes the switch; a wheel which is to be turned by the armature when the armature is moved by the spring; means whereby the armature, when being turned by the spring, turns the wheel in one direction and permits the magnet to reverse the direction of movement of the armature without turning the wheel; a clutch member having a stationary mounting and having a side opposed to the rim of the wheel and sloping toward the wheel in the direction of rotation of the armature that is efiected by the magnet; a roller engageable at the same time with said clutch member side and the rim of the wheel; and a spring having a portion extending transversely of the axis of movement of the wheel and lapping and in close proximity to the roller.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name.

JOHN W. HOBBS. 

